New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots are on a roll as they prepare for their Week 9 action. A lot has gone right for the Pats, and each week, they continue to find a way to exceed expectations. Two guys who have played big roles for New England so far this year are cornerback Christian Gonzalez and wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
In his third year in the league, Gonzalez has turned himself into one of the premier lockdown cornerbacks in the league, and it’s safe to say the defense has looked completely different since he made his season debut in Week 4. Diggs, on the other hand, was signed in free agency over the offseason to be the Patriots’ new No. 1 wide receiver on offense.
While they play different positions, Gonzalez and Diggs have gotten quite familiar with each other, thanks in large part to the fact that they are frequently squaring off against each other at practice. As a result, Gonzalez has seen the impact Diggs has had on his new squad, and he recently gushed over the four-time Pro Bowler’s impact on the Pats.
“He’s real cool,” Gonzalez said on “Closed on Sundays with Pat and Terrion.” “He’s a real good leader. He cares a lot; he just be wanting to compete. He be trying to get up under my skin, trying to, tell me certain things to get me going in practice, and that translates to the game, so it be helping.”
“It’s been cool to be on the same team, you see how good of a leader he is. The media make him out to be a diva and stuff like that, but he ain’t been none of that. He’s been great for the team.”
Diggs has quickly formed a strong rapport with second-year quarterback Drake Maye, and he’s become a reliable target in the passing game, racking up 42 receptions for 470 yards and one touchdown through eight games.
With Diggs leading the way on offense and Gonzalez helping erase one side of the field on defense, New England has become a force to be reckoned with. The team will look to win its sixth-straight game when it returns to action in Week 9 for a meeting with the Atlanta Falcons.
